The primary school is offering a glimpse into the

possible future of education in Germany. This effort

is, however, still just part of a study being conducted

by the Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU) in

Munich. The room has been designed as a UNI

classroom, and gives teachers and teacher trainers

the chance to familiarise themselves with various

types of technology-led learning. Classes can even

be recorded onto high-quality video for in-depth

analysis later on.

THE CHALLENGE

“We want to explore how combining traditional

learning methods with multimedia PC programs

and 3D projections can help children retain what

they have learned,” explains Dr. Michael Kirch,

research associate in the Primary School Education

department at the LMU. This is all part of a research

initiative covering several European countries, which

aims to investigate academic learning supported by

2D and 3D technologies. DLP Technology innovator

Texas Instruments is supporting the project every

step of the way. Professor Anne Bamford, an

internationally recognised British education expert, is

in charge of coordinating the project and evaluating

its findings.

THE NEC SOLUTION

Technology in the classroom offers a wealth of

promising opportunities, not least because in recent

years have seen various technological innovations

emerge that were practically destined for use in

schools. Ultra-short throw projectors do not have

to be installed at the other end of the room or

suspended from the ceiling, but let you project onto

a screen from only inches away. They produce no

distracting shadows, and teachers are free to move

around the room or stand right in front of the class.

NEC’s solutions are pioneering in this field. It has

created a range of products with the education sector

specifically in mind. “Easy to use, robust enough to

cope with day-to-day school life, low noise levels,

and minimal operating and maintenance costs.

These are just some of the features that schools

and colleges look for,” says Ulf Greiner, Product

Line Manager Business Projectors at NEC Display

Solutions Europe. “Projects like this give us the

chance to gather valuable feedback, which we take

and incorporate into the continuous development of

our solutions,” he adds.

Short throw projectors are the perfect companions

for 3D visualisation. NEC’s new U Series of ultra-

short throw projectors are 3D-ready and do not

require any additional equipment or modifications,

making them a popular choice in the education

sector. “Universities and schools are hugely in favour

of sustainability, and want products that work equally

well in both 2D and 3D situations,” says Greiner.

The entry-level V Series and ultra-short throw

models in the U Series all feature the latest in DLP

Technology. As with modern 3D-capable TVs, the

device transmits images alternately for the left and

NEC 3D DLP® PROJECTORS HELP SCHOOL CHILDREN ENGAGE WITH THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

NOW I GET IT!NEC Display Solutions Pilot Project Germany

A hand reaches out for the hammer. It’s right there, next to the anvil and the

stirrup. But that small hand passes straight through, because this particular

model of a human ear is just a 3D projection. Primary school pupils at

Munich’s “Grundschule an der Simmernstraße” are experiencing new ways

of learning. And innovative technology is helping them better understand

what they are learning. A special classroom has been set up with computers

and interactive whiteboards, along with both 2D and 3D projectors.

right eye at 120Hz. Active shutter glasses separate

out the images meant for each eye so that the image

appears three-dimensional to the viewer. The process

of syncing a projected image with the glasses is

essential, and DLP Technology accomplishes this

by sending additional visual signals between video

frames, which are picked up by a sensor integrated

into the glasses. This eliminates the need for extra

emitters and makes the set-up as easy as setting up

traditional 2D projection.

However, Dr. Kirch does not believe that technology

is a panacea for education. Used incorrectly, it could

even detract from the true objectives of modern-day

teaching: “It’s time to leave the ‘teacher up front’

approach behind. Let’s get our children learning

together in groups and motivate them to start

teaching each other. For this to work, the children

need to have their own interactive experiences.”

At the Munich primary school, pupils are assigned

specific tasks that they have to complete in groups

of two. Each of the individual ‘stations’ around the

room gives them another clue to discovering the

mysteries of acoustics. One of the most popular

stations is the NEC 3D projector. At the moment

there is only a limited amount of content available in

German. “Ultimately, the content will be the deciding

factor in relation to how fast this technology spreads.

Many 3D providers in various sectors are in the

process of adding educational content to broaden

their portfolios. Producers of more traditional

teaching materials are in demand here on account

of their pedagogic experience,” says Greiner.

Dr. Kirch asked children who had taken part in 3D

lessons whether they would prefer their teacher to

give a presentation, or to try things out themselves

via interactive content. The surprising response

was that many children would actually choose the

comprehensive explanation provided by a teacher

first. Afterwards, however, they would like the

opportunity to explore the various functions of the

ear at their own pace. For example, to choose which

part of the ear they want to find 3D information on.

Another key finding of both Dr. Kirch’s and Professor

Bamford’s studies was the notably high levels

of media literacy in children when working with

3D content. Many of those surveyed had already

seen several 3D films at the cinema or had a 3D

television at home. “Schools need to take account

of the children’s surroundings and incorporate that

into their teaching concept. The omnipresence of 3D

technology makes it a fantastic jumping-off point for

learning as well,” says Dr. Kirch.

THE RESULTS

Using technology in lessons has definitely been

worthwhile. Professor Anne Bamford describes a

distinct, measurable effect in all the schools across

Europe that were involved in the LiFE 1 project.

“The content that was taught was noticeably more

present in before-after comparisons; the children

were far better able to retain the material,” according

to Bamford. “Many of the children said ‘I understand

much better now how hearing works’.” Dr. Kirch

observed the same phenomenon in the Munich

school. “The results were overwhelmingly positive.

The children were especially attentive when they

were faced with 3D content.”

He nevertheless emphasises the fact that technology

alone cannot replace lessons that stimulate all the

senses. This is the only way to accommodate all

types of learners and ensure that they receive the

information they need. Haptic learning, using a

physical model, for example, is just as much a part

of this approach as traditional reading of a text. For

Dr. Kirch, 3D technologies really come into their own

when imparting facts that are almost impossible to

present in other ways. Scientific processes are the

obvious example, but another could be field trips that

might otherwise be difficult to organise. A virtual visit

to the pyramids, for example. Or a journey through

the inside of a human heart. All feasible in a single

school day thanks to 3D. And that’s why Dr. Kirch

can say with certainty: “3D technology enriches the

learning experience enormously.”

This document is © Copyright 2011 NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH. All rights are reserved in favour of their respective owners. The document, or parts thereof, should not be copied, adapted, redistributed, or otherwise used without

the prior written permission of NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH. This document is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind whatsoever, either express or implied. Errors and omissions are excepted. NEC Display Solutions Europe

GmbH may make changes, revisions or improvements in, or discontinue the supply of any product described or referenced in this document at any time without notice.

NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH Landshuter Allee 12-14, D-80637 Müncheninfomail@nec-displays.comPhone: +49 (0) 89 99 699-0Fax: +49 (0) 89 99 699-500www.nec-display-solutions.com

INST

ALLA

TION SITE INFORMATION EQUIPMENT AND BENEFITS

LOCATION

Grundschule an der Simmernstraße, Munich, Germany

PROJECT COLLABORATION WITH

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

NEC V SERIES 3D READY DLP PROJECTORS

NEC U SERIES ULTRA SHORT THROW PROJECTORS

“3D technology enriches the learning experience

enormously.”